The developers of the Bay Street shopping complex also created a park
to honor the Emeryville Shellmound, which was created by Ohlone Indians
who lived in the area hundreds of years ago. The Ohlone built hundreds
of shellmounds, which were composed of abalone, mussel, and clamshells
and were sacred sites where they buried their dead. At the entry to
the park I created a map of the Oakland/East Bay area carved into the
surface of a large granite entry portal. Small orange tiles mark the
Emeryville Shellmound, as well as other shellmounds in the surrounding
area. Ten polished granite slabs line a walkway and form a timeline
of Ohlone history. Each slab includes sandblasted text and images which
note significant moments in their civilization, from a deadly measles
epidemic to their first contact with Westerners.